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Gabriel Kreuther Will Leave the Modern

Gabriel Kreuther at work in the kitchen of the Modern.Credit
Robert Wright for The New York Times

Gabriel Kreuther is stepping down as executive chef at the Modern, where he has been since 2004. “It’s the dream of most of the chefs to open their own place someday and for me the moment is now,” he said. He probably will not leave before the end of the year, he said. In announcing the news, Union Square Hospitality Group, which runs the high-end restaurant at the Museum of Modern Art along with its cafe and private dining room, said it wished him the best and was “beginning a search for out next executive chef.”

Danny Meyer, the chief executive of Union Square Hospitality Group, said they “had no interest in changing how the restaurant feels.” Still, he added that it was unlikely that they would find a chef with the same classic Alsatian background as Mr. Kreuther. "I'm keeping my mind really open," he said.

Mr. Kreuther said his new restaurant, which would be in Manhattan and would not open before the second half of next year, would reflect his French-Alsatian roots. “But I’m aware of where I am working now, so it would also have to be French-American,” he said. But the contracts for his new place, for which he has investors, are still in negotiation. He said that would also allow for transition time for the Modern, which has a Michelin star and has received three stars from The New York Times. "When I walk out of here I want to be sure the restaurant is in good hands,” he said.